Studio Arts was formed by Ann Dodgson in 1972, for over 45 years it has served the art and craft community in Lancaster. Often described as an Aladdins cave it is packed with art, craft, graphic and modelling materials. Dave George has been the manager for the last 8 years and is constantly looking to expand the range wherever possible. Recently they have started to incorporate more modelling supplies such as table top wargaming from Games Workshop and traditional kits from Revell and Airfix. There is very little that they either do not have or cannot easily source for the creatively minded. The floor, walls and even ceiling is packed with paints, pens, pencils, papers, stickers, kits and all manner of things too numerous to mention.
In previous years Studio Arts also had a separate gallery and framing shop in Lancaster. The shop which is now located near the bus station at the bottom of town still has a selection of local prints and originals. It could be said that Studio Arts is a very traditional art shop, in the age of faceless chain stores still maintaining its unique character. They also try and source local supplier wherever possible; with brushes from and pads from Yorkshire based companies Pro Arte and Pink Pig in addition to the national companies such as Daler Rowney and Winsor and Newton. With the coming of the internet age Studio Arts also expanded to having an online shop with exclusive discounts at www.studioartshop.com.
They pride themselves on their friendly knowledgeable staff who are always on hand to offer advise with any project. Their current members all have their own field of expertise. Tina is a keen card maker and crafter, Lottie is a graphic artist, Tom is a practicing oil painter and Sam is a seasoned table top wargamer.
Studio Arts has weathered many storms such as the flooding of Desmond and the testing financial climate of recent years to continue to bring excellent products and service to the thriving artistic community of Lancaster and the surrounding areas.
